On the eve of the Republic Day on Friday, two eminent personalities from the Assam Dr Ilias Ali, and  Udhab Bharali have been selected for the Padma Shri award.

Dr Ali is  a senior general & laparoscopic surgeon associated with Gauhati Medical and Hospital(GMCH), Guwahati known for his immense contribution in controlling population growth in the char areas of Assam. While Bharali is  a grassroots innovator from Lakhimpur district  Assam with over 100 agricultural machinery inventions to his name .

Apart from Ali and Bharali two other prominent personalities from North East have been selected for Padma Shri. Thanga Darlong, renowned flutist from Tripura and noted Manipur Archer Bombayla Devi Liashram have been selected for the award for her contribution in sports.

This year 112 recipients have been selected for prestigious civilian award including 4 Padma Vibhushan, 14 Padma Bhushan and 94 Padma Shri awards.